Loose leae binder



3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR CHARLES A. F|NLEY June 28, 1932. Q A, FINLEY LoosE LEAF BINDER Filed July 26, 1929 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENi'oR CHARLES A.F INLEY June 28 1932- c. A. FINLEY LoosE LEAF BINDER Filed July 26, 1929 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 v.. ms WN@ l m.; ZL EAJm VS NE. ...mA A@ H c Patented June 28, 1932 FATE? OFFEQE CHARLES A. FINLEY, F RUT-IERFORD, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO BODRUM & PEASE COMPANY, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK LOOSE LEAF BNDER Application filed July 26,

This invention relates to the type of loose leaf binder having a telescopic binding post and telescopic leaf holding posts carried by the binding bars and means for moving the binding bars away from or toward each other in order to accommodate varying numbers of leaves and in order to enable the operator to remove leaves from or add leaves to the contents of the binder.

One of the principal objects of the invention is to provide improved means for moving and clamping the binding bars, and also improved means for shifting the leafholding posts laterally to lock the leaves in the binder.

1n the drawings:

Figure 1 is a cross-section through a loose leaf binder embodying the invention on line l 1-1, Fig. 2;

Figure 2 is a section on line 2 2 of Figure 1, showing a leaf locked in the binder;

Figure 3 is a front view of the binder, showing the leaf-holding posts in leaf-locking position;

Figure l is a view similar to Figure but showing the leaf-holding posts in position to release the leaves, parts of the device being shown broken away;

Figure 5 shows a rack in which a loose leaf binder embodying the invention may be supported and operated. An end view of the binder is shown, with parts cut away;

Figure 6 is a cross-section on the line (5#6 of Figure 8;

Figure 7 is a cross-section on the line 7 7 of Figure 3.

rlhe loose leaf binder to which the invention is particularly adapted, is the type commonly used for loose leaf ledgers in which the posting` is to be done either with pen and ink or mechanically.

rlhe invention is embodied in a binder having a pair of binding bars 10 joined together by a screw-threaded telescoping binding post 11. This binding post 11 is composed of threaded screw 12 secured in one binding bar, and cooperating internally threaded sleeve 13 rotatably mounted in the other binding bar.

he sleeve 13 may be retained in the binding bar by any suitable means, as by retaining pin 1929. Serial No. 381,304.

18 operating in groove 119. Revolving the sleeve 13 in one direction screws the two binding bars together causing them to clamp leaves 14C between them. Rotation of the sleeve in the opposite direction screws the two binding bars apart so that pressure is released thereby and leaves may be removed from or inserted in the binder. A suitable key, such as crank 15 may be provided to engage and turn sleeve 13.

The invention is adapted for use in connection with loose leaves or sheets each having an open slot 16a through which binding post 11 passes. A useful feature of the device is th at by thus passing through the body of each leaf, the binding post causes the binding bars to exert a direct clamping pressure upon the leaves. This direct pressure eliminates the tendency of the leaves to buckle.

In binders of'this type there has been a tendency to buckle, especially when a large number of leaves were bound together', because the pressure clamping the leaves between t-he binding bars was not exerted directly through the body of the leaves.

For use with leaves such as that shown in Figure 2, in which the open slot is a relatively long central recess 16a with transverse undercut notches 17 in an edge 18 of each leaf, the invention provides leaf-holding posts 19 in combination with the binding post 11.

Leaf-holding posts 19 are adapted to be moved toward and from each other to unlock and lock the leaves in the ledger. In the embodiment shown in the drawings, when the leaf-holding posts are farthest away from each other, they enga-ge the undercut notches 17 and thus lock the leaves 14 against removal from the binder (see Figs. 2 and 3). When` leaf-holding posts 19 are moved toward each other, as shown in Fig. 4, they are out of engagement with the. undercut notches 17, whereupon the leaves are unlocked and may be removed from the binder or additional leaves may be placed in the binder. relative arrangements of the undercut notches and the leaf-holding posts are within the scope of the invention.

The binding bars are recessed at 2O to receive movable blocks 21 (see Figs. 6 and 7 Other l CTI in which are secured the ends of the leafholding posts 19.

Each leaf-holding post is composed of rod 22 telescoping into tube 23. The end of rod 22 is secured in a movable block 21 housed in one binding bar and the end of tube 23 is secured in a movable block 21 housed in the other binding bar. Strip 24 is provided on the inner face of each binding bar 10, to retain the movable blocks 21. A flange 25 may be formed on each strip 24 to provide a telescoping back for the binder. One flange 25 will be formed to lie within the other. The flanges 25 may be formed with end flanges 26 to provide ends for the back of the binder. Hinge plate 27 may be provided as a means of hinging side covers 28 to the back of the ledger, or, if preferred, a unitary hinge plate and back plate may be provided.

The binding bars also support leaf-resting or guide posts 30. Each leaf-resting post 30 is composed of a rod 31 sectued in one binding bar, and a tube 32 secured in the other binding bar, the rod telescoping into the tube.

The portions of the edges 18 of the leaves outside of recesses 16a rest upon the leaf-resting posts 30, thus keeping the leaves in register with each other.

Means for moving the leaf-holding posts 19 toward and from each other comprise a cam slide 33 attached to each tube 23 thereof, and extending toward the center of the back of the binder.

These two cam slides overlap each other and are held in register with each other adjacent the binding post 11 by means of cam plate 34.

Each cam slide 33 is provided with a diagonal perforation 35 running from an end nearest the tube 23 diagonally downward and toward the center of the binder. Pins 36 pass through perforations 35 and are secured in cam plate 34, .and hold cam slides 33 and cam plate 34 in sliding relation to each other.

Cam plate 34 is secured to cam nut 37 which is engaged upon a threaded portion 38 upon the outside of sleeve 13 of the binding post 11.

Thus the cam plate and cam slides form a slidingr connection between the cam nut and the leaf-holding posts.

The threaded bore of the cam nut 37 and the threaded portion 38 on sleeve 13 are of greater diameter than the rest of the sleeve 13, so that when the cam nut 37 passes the threaded ring 38 it rides freely upon t-he sleeve 13. Compression springs v39 and 40 are arranged around the sleeve 13, respectively below and above the threaded ring 38. The expansion of the spring 40 in the direction away from the threaded ring 38 is limited by the stop 41 which is mounted on the sleeve 13 above the threaded ring 38 and the spring 40, while the expansion of spring 39 away from ring 38 is limited by the adjacent binding bar 10.

The threads of the ring 38 and those inside the cam nut 37 are preferably multiple threads so that the cam nut will pass rapidly over the ring when the sleeve of the binding post is rotated. Vhen the cam nut 37 is between either spring and the threaded ring 38, the spring presses the cam nut against the threaded ring ready for engagementtherewith as soon as the ring revolves in the proper direction.

One requirement of a loose leaf ledger is that it be adapted to sit up on its back, as shown in Figure 5, to facilitate removal and insertion of the sheets for posting thereon.

In this type of ledger neither binding bar need be removed in order to remove the sheets. The binding bars are merely moved away from each other to remove the pressure from the sheets whereupon sheets can be removed and replaced rapidly.

For convenience of operation a suitable rack 42 may be provided to support the binder. VIhe rack shown in Figure 5 has a base 43 upon which the back of the binder rests, and outwardly inclined sides 44 against which rest the side covers 28 of the binder. Bearing 45 to support crank 15 is located adjacent one side of the rack. Finger 46 is positioned in the base of the rack near the bearing 45 and cooperates with socket 47 in the binding bar 1() in which sleeve 13 rotates, to hold the binder in a position accessible to the crank 15 for the latters engagement with sleeve 13.

To operate the device, crank 15 is fitted into sleeve 13 of the locking bar an d rotated. This causes action between the screw 12 and sleeve 13, and according to the direction of rotation, results in longitudinal expansion or contraction of the binding post, and also of the leaf-resting posts and leaf-holdingposts. Contraction of the posts draws the binding bars together Causing them to clamp the leaves with a direct pressure exerted upon the latter in a line running through the body of the sheets. Thus the leaves are locked into the book, so that they cannot be removed either intentionally or accidentally by buckling of the book.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in the drawings, a single operation of the manipulation of the crank 15 in one direction causes the longitudinal expansion of the posts supported by the binding bars, namely the binding post, leaf-holding posts and leafresting` posts, so that the binding bars are Cil moved apart, and at the same time causes the leaf-holding posts to move toward each other so that they release the notches 17 of the leaves, whereupon leaves can readily be removed from or inserted in the binder.

Then the crank is manipulated in the other direct-ion, all the posts telescope to bring the binding bars to clamp upon the leaves, and simultaneously, the leaf-holding posts mo-ve laterally away from each other and engage the notches 17 of the leaves so that the leaves are doubly locked in the binder.

As soon as the crank is turned so that the sleeve 13 begins to revolve in one direction the relative movement of the binding bars begins. Assuming for example, that the binder had been in leaf clamping and locking position, the three types of posts begin to expand and the binding bars begin to separate. Simultaneously the nut 37, held in readiness by the spring 39 engages the threads 38 and quickly travels across those threads raising the cam plate 34 and drawing the leaf-holding bars inwardly toward each other, so that they are out of engagement with the notches. Thereafter, as long as the sleeve continues to revolve in the same direction the three types of post continue to expand and the binding bars to move apart, while the leaf locking posts remain out of engagement with and free from the notches in the sheet, the nut 37 riding idly on the land or untlireaded portion of the sleeve 13 between the threads 38 and the compressed spring A0. As soon as the sleeve is rotated in the opposite direction, the spring d() causes the nut 37 to engage the threads 38, the nut is quickly drawn over the threads 3S, thus moving the leaf-holding posts back into the notch-engaging or leaflocking position. Simultaneously the three types of post begin to telescope and the binding bars to co-me toward each other to clamp upon the sheets.

I claim:

1. A loose leaf binder having a pair of binding bars, a binding post comprising a threaded screw and a cooperating threaded sleeve mounted in opposite binding bars, one part of said binding post being rotatably mount-ed, means for rotating said rotatable part, and telescoping leaf-holding posts movably mounted in said binding` bars, in combination with leaves each having an open slot and transverse undercut notches, the binding post lying in the slots in the leaves, and means mounted on said binding post connecting the leaf-holding posts therewith, and adapted to move the leaf-holding posts into or out of engagement with the transverse undercut notches of the leaves when the rotatable part of the binding post is rotated.

2. A loose leaf binder having a pair of binding bars, a telescoping binding post comprising a threaded screw mounted in one "i binding bar and a coo aeratino threaded sleeve rotatably mounted in the other binding bar in combination with a pair of telescoping leaf-holding posts movably mounted in said binding bars, and means for rotating said sleeve and causing longitudinal movement of said binding post and leaf-holding posts, and simultaneously causing lateral movement of said leaf-holding posts.

3. A loose leaf binder having a pair of binding bars, a binding post comprising a threaded screw and a cooperatingthreaded sleeve mounted in opposite binding bars, one part of said binding post being rotatably mounted, means for rotating said rotatable part, and telescoping` leaf-holding posts movably mounted in said binding bars, in combination with leaves each having an open slot and transverse undercut notches, and means mounted on said binding post connecting the leaf-holding posts therewith, and adapted to move the leaf-holding posts into or out of engagement with the transverse undercut notches of the leaves when the rotatable part of the binding post is rotated.

4l. A loose leaf binder having a pair of binding bars, a binding post comprising a threaded screw and a cooperating threaded sleeve mounted in opposite binding bars, one part of said binding post being rotatably mounted, and means for rotating said rotatably mounted part, in combination with teleso-oping leaf-holding posts movably mounted in said binding bars, and means connecting said leaf-holding posts with said binding post and adapted to cause lateral movement of the leaf-holding post-s when the rotatable part of the binding post is rotated.

5. A loose leaf binder comprising a pair of binding bars and a telescoping binding post consisting of a threaded screw mounted in one binding bar and a cooperating threaded sleeve rotatably mounted in the other binding bar, in combination with a pair of telescoping leaf-holding posts movably mounted in said binding bars, means threaded upon the sleeve of the binding post and slidably connected to the leaf-holding posts and means for rotating said sleeve causing relative movement between the binding bars and simultaneously causing' relative lateral movement between the leaf-holding posts.

6. In al loose leaf binder having a pair of binding bars and telescoping leaf-holding posts movably mounted in said binding bars and adapted to engage leaves each having an open slot and transverse under cut notches, means for moving the binding bars toward or from each other and simultaneously moving the leaf-holding posts into or out of engagement with said notches, said means comprising a binding post having a threaded screw and a threaded sleeve mounted in the binding bars, one part of said binding post being rotatable upon the other, in combination with means carried by said binding post and connected to said leaf-holding posts and adapted to move the leaf-holding posts toward or from the binding` post when the rotatable part of the latter is rotated.

7. In a loose leaf binder having a pair of is o binding bars, telescoping leaf-holding posts mounted in said binding bars and a binding post comprising a threaded screw mounted in one binding bar and a threaded sleeve rotatably mounted in the other binding bar in combination with a ring of threads on the outside of said sleeve and a nut on said sleeve adapted to cooperate with the ring of threads, means connecting the nut and the leaf-holding posts and means for rotating said sleeve, causing relative movement between the binding bars and simultaneous relative movement between the leaf-holding posts.

8. In a loose leaf binder a pair of binding bars, a binding post comprising a threaded screw mounted on one binding bar and an internally threaded sleeve rotatably mounted on the other binding bar, telescoping leafholding posts movably mounted on said binding bars, and means for rotating said sleeve to cause relative movement between the binding bars in combination with means for simultaneously causing relative movement between the leaf-holding posts, comprising a ring of threads on the outside of said sleeve, a nut on said sleeve adapted to cooperate with the ring of threads, and cam connections between the nut and the leaf-holding posts.

9. In a loose leaf binder a pair of binding bars, a binding post comprising a threaded screw mounted on one binding bar and an internally threaded sleeve rotatably mounted on the other binding bar, telescoping leafholding posts movably mounted on said binding bars, and means for rotating said sleeve to cause relative movement between the binding bars in combination with means for simultaneously causing relative movement between the leaf-holding posts, comprising a ring of threads on the outside of said sleeve, a nut on the sleeve adapted to cooperate with the ring of threads, a cam plate carried by the nut and a cam slide carried by each leafholding post, and sliding connections between the cam plate and the cam slides.

l0. In a loose leaf binder a pair of binding bars, a binding post comprising a threaded screw mounted on one binding bar and an internally threaded sleeve rotatably mounted on the other binding bar, telescoping leaf-holding posts movably mounted on said binding bars, and means for rotating said sleeve to cause relative movement between the binding bars in combination with means for simultaneously causing relative movement between the leaf-holding posts, comprising a ring of threads on the outside of said sleeve, a nut on the sleeve adapted to cooperate with the ring of threads, a helical spring on the sleeve on each side of the ring of threads, and cam connections between the nut and the leaf-holding posts.

11. In a loose leaf binder a pair of binding bars, a binding post comprising a threaded screw mounted on one binding bar and an internally threaded sleeve rotatably mounted on the other binding bar, telescoping leaf-holding posts movably mounted on said binding bars, and means for rotating said sleeve to cause relative movement between the binding bars in combination with means for simultaneously causing relative movement between the leaf-holding posts, comprising a ring of threads on the outside of said sle ve, a nut on the sleeve adapted to cooperate with the ring of threads, a helical spring on the sleeve on each side of the ring of threads, a cam plate carried by the nut and a cam slide carried by each leaf-holding postl and means holding the cam plate and the camslides in sliding relation.

l2. ln a loose leaf binder a pair of binding bars, a binding post comprising a threaded screw mounted on one binding bar and an internally threaded sleeve rotatably mounted on the other binding bar, telescoping leaf-holding posts movably mounted on said binding bars, and means for rotating said sleeve to cause relative movement between the binding bars in combination with means for simultaneously causing relative movement between the leaf-holding posts, comprising a ring of threads on the outside of said sleeve, a nut on the sleeve adapted to cooperate with the ring of threads, a hclical spring on the sleeve on each side of the ring of threads, a cam plate carried by the nut and a perforated cam slide carried by each leaf-holding post, and pins in the cam y plate passing through perforations in the cam slides.

13. 1n a loose leaf binder having a pair of binding bars and telescoping posts mounted therebetween including laterally movable leaf-holding posts and a post having arotatable part placed intermediate said leafholding posts, and means for rotating the rotatable part, in combination with means for laterally moving said leaf-holding posts comprising a ring of threads on said rotatable part, a nut adapted to cooperate with the ring of threads, and cam connections between the nut and the leaf-holding posts. l

l-l. In a loose leaf binder having a pair of binding bars and telescoping posts mounted therebetween including laterally movable leaf-holding posts and a post having a rotatable parlJ placed intermediate said leafholding posts, and means for rotating the rotatable part, in combination with means for laterally moving said leaf-holding posts comprising a ring of threads on said rotatable part. a nut adapted to cooperate with the ring of threads, a cam plate carried by the nut and a cam slide carried by each leaiholding post and sliding connections between the cam plate and the cam slides.

l5. In a. loose leaf binder having a pair of binding bars and telescoping posts mounted therebetween, including laterally movable leaf-holding posts and a post having a rotatable part placed intermediate said leafholding posts, and means for rotating the rotatable part, in combination with means for laterally moving said leaf-holding posts oomprising a ring of threads on said rotatable part, a nut adapted to cooperate with the ring of threads, a helical spring on the sleeve on each side of the ring of threads and cam connections between the nut and the leaf holding posts.

16. In a loose lea-f binder having a pair of binding bars and telescoping posts mounted therebetween including laterally movable leaf-holding posts and a post having a rotatable part placed intermediate said leafa holding posts, and means for rotating the rotatable part, in combination with means for laterally moving said leaf-holding posts com* prising a ring of threads on said rotatable part, a nut adapted to cooperate with the ring of threads, a helical spring o n the sleeve on each side of the ring of threads, a cam plate carried by the nut and a cam slide carried by each leaf-holding post and means holding the cam plate and the cam slides in sliding relation.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

CHARLES A. FXNLEY. 

